Energy Secretary Steven Chu stepping down

The Energy Department said Friday Chu has offered his resignation to President Barack Obama. Chu won a Nobel Prize in physics but came under questioning for his handling of a solar energy loan.

Chu is a former director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. He drew fire from Republicans who criticized his handling of a $528 million federal loan to Fremont solar panel maker Solyndra, which later went bankrupt, laying off its 1,100 workers.

The White House said Chu retained Obama's confidence, but Chu was widely expected to leave following Obama's re-election last fall.